FEAR NOT,STAND FIRM, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

There is a lot of discussion about September 2015, Now only a week away. Is this the end of the world? I
doubt it. Does it point towards end times? I'm sure it does.

I don't think I need to write out another exhaustive list of things to take place in September, I'm sure by this point we have all been inundated with it. If by chance you would like a list here's one for you.

Mathew 24:42 reminds us "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

I was spending some time this morning pondering all of these things and I asked God, "what do you want me to know about this time." and the answer was clear. First and foremost, "Fear not for the Lord your God is with you." The second thing spoken was "Stand Firm"  and lastly but by no means least, "Pray without ceasing."

How many times does the bible tell us not to fear? 365. Yes 365 times. Once for every day of the year. Anything repeated more than once has got to be important so really this is an incredibly important element to remember. And you know it is so true. I don't need to be afraid and neither do you because guess what? We already know how this is going to end! I have the ultimate cheat notes on how thing are going to play out and you know what some of it is pretty down right scary stuff, BUT I don't need to be afraid because the Lord my God is with me and even more so He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, a plan to give me a hope and a future. That future just so happens to include eternity with Him.

The book of Ephesians jumps to mind when I hear stand firm although the term is used 15 times in scriptures. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

First lets note in verse 10 that we can be strong in the Lord, it is in His mighty power not in mine.

I think one of the reasons this passage jumps to mind so quickly is that we are talking about events that are leading into the end times revelations. This is a spiritual battle that is being waged, and we need to be prepared to stand on God's promises and fight on our knees. We need to prepare for spiritual battle by first preparing our hearts and minds. Meditate on Gods word and in all sincerity put on the full armor of God.

Verse 12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. - These battles are won or lost on our knees with holy hands raised high.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I have been spending time in Mathew 24 and those words that many will turn from God in those days breaks my heart. To be running this race of endurance and to be so close to finishing only to give up moments before the finishing line... Stand Firm. You can do this. Pray without ceasing. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ that the shield of Faith would be on them. Pray that we do not be deceived by the great deceiver but that we finish this race and that in the end we receive our great reward, to hear He who created us declare, "Well done good and faithful servant."